Yet again, usual disclaimers apply throughout this tale. If you recognise it, it probably belongs to the Mouse – else it is mine!

Chapter 53 - Custard

Year 4 - Early July

Commodore Norrington sat quietly at the table, grateful for the invitation from Mistress Turner that took him from the fort. Young Billy was already asleep in bed, but his nephew James, Will, Elizabeth and Weatherby Swann were just finishing their main course. The fort was in chaos with numerous pirate attacks on shipping and nearby settlements, but without a ship there was little he could do to combat the sudden pirate insurrection. He had written to London, begging for another ship to arrive as soon as possible, but that would still take at least another month even if one were sent immediately the letter had been received. Hopefully, the onset of the hurricane season would ease matters, forcing the pirates to take shelter and cease their raiding.

Elizabeth Turner quietly served dessert. "Commodore?"

"Oh, yes, thank you!" He smiled, welcoming the few moments of normality as she poured the custard.

Tap! Tap!

She glanced at the window and peered into the gloom, trying to see who was out there. Will cautiously opened the door, nearly barrelled over as Jack, Theodore and Catherine piled into the house, skidding to a stop on seeing the Commodore reach for his sword.

"Whoa, matey, whoa!" Jack urged. "Things are bigger than this at the moment!"

"Jack!" James shot from his chair, throwing himself happily at the pirate, who only just steadied himself, being nearly bowled over.

"No fighting!" Elizabeth pleaded, throwing herself between the Commodore and the others.

It was then that James Norrington saw Theodore. "Captain Groves – we thought you were dead!" Suspiciously cautious, he hesitantly sheathed his sword.

"I'm glad you are here, Commodore. I didn't want to go to the fort until I knew what was happening…" Theodore began, eyeing the pudding. "Is there any more of that custard, Mistress Elizabeth?" Jack had already commandeered the jug and was leaning against the wall, spooning it up happily.

"I can make some more, but I think that can wait…" she began. "Jack, Catherine – what are you doing in Port Royal? It is too dangerous!"

"B'cause we think we know what is happening – if not entirely why, if you get my drift?" Jack began. "Theo…" He gestured for him to continue, unwilling to leave the purloined custard to cool and only just willing to share his prize with James.

"The Resolute was destroyed some months ago by three pirate ships – we still do not know for sure the names, but suspect they were from the Bahamas region or the Keys. Only a few survived, but we were rescued by the Black Pearl…"

"But it goes much further back than that…" Jack interrupted. "Back to Bailie!"

The Commodore looked confused. "Bailie – but he is dead!"

"What they are trying to say, Commodore, is that this trouble all began with Francis Bailie and his attack on Port Royal. Robert DeWitt was working for Francis Bailie, with a number of other pirates and a mystery person. We've traced Robert DeWitt's journey to Africa and found his slave source, who confirmed to us that the slaves he purchased were for the Roseridge plantation…" Catherine explained.

"But Jacoby Roseridge is dead!"

"Ah, but Damian is not! Francis Bailie bragged that he was going to make Port Royal into a pirate port, but failed. What if he was invited here and those involved have continued their plan despite his death? We know of Robert DeWitt, Francis Bailie and Alfred Sibley who attacked the port the other month. Could Damian be the one behind the scenes? The link that we are missing?" Theodore argued.

The Commodore frowned. "Why are you helping Port Royal, Sparrow?" He looked at Jack. "Considering I should hang you at the first opportunity, it is not very smart!"

"Simple, I want DeWitt!" Jack drawled. "An' if that means workin' with the Devil, so be it…".

"Well, you may not know that Damian Roseridge has forcibly taken governorship of this island until a replacement can be sent from London. Pirate activity has increased threefold in the region, hitting shipping and settlements alike. But with no Dauntless and now no Resolute, we cannot strike back at them…"

"So yer just need a ship?" Jack smiled as he scraped the last remnants of the custard from the jug. "We'll go out the back way Will, damn troops have changed their routes!" He looked offended at the inconvenience. "Until later then, Commodore!" he smiled as he struggled to disengage himself from James' grasp. "I gotta go Jimmy!" he pleaded.

"Theo." Catherine hugged her brother.

"Take care Cat!" He hugged her back. "Jack, will you put my men ashore?"

"Er, Captain Sparrow…" the Commodore was unsure how to phrase his request, worried that the pirate might refuse.

"Yes?" Jack asked, one eyebrow raised.

"I would appreciate it if you would arrange to get those within this household, and James, to safety," James Norrington asked. "If what you fear is true, then Mister Swann is a potential target, as are the Turners due to their connection with you…"

"And Jimmy?" Jack frowned.

"James especially, as he has links to both myself and your ship…" James Norrington explained.

Jack nodded as he quietly slipped out the back door into the night. "Bring what you need Will. You know the pick up spot…". The darkness swallowed him. Giving her brother one last hug, Catherine followed, taking young James' hand. The red macaw flew after them.

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